TL;DR

Solid drinks, with a side of brunch

The vibe

The crowd

The drinks

The food

Our Review

First impression?It's library-meets-African-safari-meets-cocktail lounge at this eclectic Little Italy bar. Quotes by famous authors are painted onto the walls and leather banquettes, while taxidermy fills out the rest of the space (check out the glass-enclosed lion above the bar). It's trendy and irreverent, but also modern—reliable hallmarks of CH Projects, the hospitality group behind the outfit.

Cool. So who’s there?This bar generally serves hipsters, working professionals, and tourists, all of whom know their way around a cocktail menu. But since C&C also serves lunch, dinner, and brunch, it's a draw for people of all ages—so long as they don't mind the actual stuffed animals.

How are the drinks?"C&C was a pioneer in San Diego's craft cocktail movement when it debuted in the Little Italy neighborhood in 2009, and it was one of the first to do it properly. Sample what's made them stick with drinks like the Lip Reader (a concoction of gin, pamplemousse rose, and absinthe), the Man Hands (mezcal and sherry), and the Del Boca Vista (a rum-heavy punch bowl), whose names all nod to Seinfeld plotlines. They also serve refreshing beer cocktails (try the Lay Lady Lay, made with raspberry lambic, sparkling wine, and ginger syrup), plus good 'ol wine and craft beer.

What they won't pour, though is vodka; CH Projects has a strict policy against the spirit, which they consider flavorless and lacking substance. Likewise, if you want ketchup with your meal or have an itch to watch this Sunday's big game, both the condiment and appliance are outlawed, too.

If the whole taxidermied library get-up isn't enough for you, reserve a round at False Idol, a ""hidden"" tiki bar in the back of C&C. Even at just 1,000 square feet, the place packs a punch, with potent tropical tipples. Plus, it will make a great story."

Worth ordering something to eat, too?"You won't be nibbling on meager bar snacks here. Actually, you'll have a downright proper meal, one that leans comfort food-chic, like a burger with onion confit; short rib bolognese; or fried quail with pepper jack mac and cheese. For a lighter take, the Korean chicken wings and a melon fig salad are popular choices.

Brunch has a similarly indulgent vibe, and retains many of the regular menu items. Unlike lunch or dinner, though, you can also opt for the carne asada Benedict or a corn bread skillet with honey-thyme butter.

C&C scores points for originality in a lot of areas—decor, drinks, secret tiki bars—and its ""linner menu,"" served from 3 to 5 p.m. in weekends, is no exception. Reserve a table with friends and use it to chase away the Sunday scaries. "

Did the staff do you right?The place may give off a too-cool-for-school vibe, but the staff is reassuringly friendly and accommodating.

Wrap it up: what are we coming here for?Between the excellent cocktails, cheeky decor, and prime Little Italy real estate, this place practically begs you to sit and stay a while. If you want another laugh, head to the bathroom, where they play their own rendition of Jimmy Kimmel's "Mean Tweets" shtick—a recording of people reading their negative Yelp reviews.